Vase container with removable inner vase portion for diffuser use or the like

ABSTRACT

The two-part vase assembly includes an outer vase having an open upper end with a peripheral lip, the outer vase being large enough to display decorative items therewithin. An inner vase is substantially shorter than the outer vase and is configured to be fittable into the upper end of the outer vase. The inner vase is configured and arranged to receive scent diffuser oil and reeds and includes a lip assembly at the upper end thereof, the lip assembly having an outer portion which is configured to removably mate with the peripheral lip of the outer vase, and an inner portion with an inner edge defining an opening which is adapted to receive a stopper element.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to containers, and more specifically concerns a vase designed to hold a diffuser assembly, candleholder or similar object.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Aromatherapy diffusers are generally well known. They typically include a container for holding scented oil and a wick element by which the scented oil is evaporated into the atmosphere. The wicks themselves can have a number of configurations, including a plurality of individual reed-like elements. Generally, however, the configuration and size of the container portion of such diffusers are limited in order to ensure good performance. Also, the appearance of a diffuser container cannot be altered after it has been manufactured.

In general, it would be desirable to increase the decorative possibilities of a diffuser container, including the configuration and size of the container, without detracting from performance. Many of the same considerations are applicable for candle containers, although they do not include scented oil and a wick for evaporation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, disclosed herein is a two-part vase assembly, comprising: an elongated outer vase member having an open upper end defined by a peripheral lip, having an internal volume adapted to display decorative items; and an inner vase member, substantially shorter than the outer vase member, the inner vase member fittable into an upper portion of the outer vase member, the inner vase including a lip assembly at the upper end thereof, the lip assembly having an outer portion configured to mate with the peripheral lip of the outer vase member and an inner peripheral edge which defines an opening adapted to receive a stopper element, wherein the inner vase member has an interior volume which is configured and adapted to receive a scent diffuser or candle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view showing the various elements of one diffuser container assembly.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing one example of a decorative arrangement using the diffuser container of FIG. 1.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a diffuser/container combination 10. The diffuser combination 10 inclues an outer decorative vase 12 and an inner diffuser or candle-containing vase 14, with a stopper element 16 which is fitted into opening 18 at the top of inner vase 14. Outer vase 12 can have various configurations and sizes. It is significantly taller than inner vase 14, so that interior space 22 thereof can include a decorative member such as a figurine or flowers or the like, in addition to inner vase 14. Inner vase 14 is configured and has a size to conveniently hold scented oil 15 and a wick element, such as a plurality of slim reeds 17, by which the scented oil evaporates to the atmosphere.

Outer vase 12 in one embodiment is 35 centimeters high and has a circular base 10.5 centimeters in diameter and an upper circular edge 24, also approximately 10.5 centimeters in diameter. In this embodiment, outer vase 12 is made of solid glass. It can be transparent, colored or have other artistic elements in the glass. The outer vase could also have various configurations. It could have straight sides or slightly concave sides as shown, or alternatively, slightly convex or other more complex configurations. It could have flat sides, rounded sides, or be circular in cross-section. The configuration may also vary along the length of the vase. In the embodiment shown, vase 12 is circular in cross-section along the length thereof, with a minimum diameter of 6.5 centimeters at its mid-point, curving inwardly from both ends.

Inner vase 14 is configured and sized so that it fits into the outer vase and is removable therefrom. Inner vase 14 has an upper portion 26 which extends horizontally both inwardly a selected distance of wall 28 of the inner vase and outwardly a selected distance beyond wall 28. In the embodiment shown, wall 28 of the inner vase is approximately 15 centimeters long, terminating at a base portion 29 which has an exterior diameter of 4.7 centimeters, and an interior diameter of 3.7 centimeters. Interior space 30 of vase 14 is configured to contain scented oil and reed diffusers to accomplish a diffuser function. Outer part 30 of upper portion 26 extends beyond wall 28 of the vase, as indicated above. Outer part 30 in the embodiment shown includes a notch 32 in the lower surface thereof which is configured to fit onto top edge 24 of the outer vase, i.e. notch 32 is configured to mate snugly with the upper edge 24 of outer vase 12.

Upper portion 26 of inner vase 14 also includes an inner part 40 which extends inwardly from wall 28 of the inner vase. In the embodiment shown, the diameter of inner peripheral edge 42 is 2.9 centimeters, defining an opening 18. Stopper element 16, which fits in opening 18, can be made from a variety of materials, including cork, for instance. Stopper element 16 can be fitted tightly in opening 18 so that the vase combination can be transported with diffuser-scented oil in the inner vase, without leakage.

As discussed above, the arrangement has several advantages. First, it permits a reed diffuser which ordinarily has restrictions on its size and configuration in order to provide its expected diffuser function to be part of a more decorative combination with a wide variety of possibilities due to outer vase 12. Alternatively, the inner vase can house a candle or other similar element. Outer vase 12 is large enough and tall enough compared to the inner vase that it can readily contain a number of decorative items, including floral arrangements, garden arrangements and/or figurines, for example. The outer vase itself can have a variety of configurations and sizes, without interfering at all with the action of the diffuser vase 14. The resulting diffuser combination thus has a significant decorative capability in addition to its functional aspect. Further, the arrangement of the reed diffuser in the form a drop-in member 14 configure to mate with the top of the outer vase 12 permits easy removal of the inner vase so that it can be conveniently used with another decorative outer vase.

Hence, a combination of a conventional diffuser inner vase with a larger, decorative outer vase has been disclosed, which maintains the functionality of a diffuser vase with a decorative capability produced by the combination.

Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed for purposes of illustration, it should be understood that various changes, modifications and substitutions may be incorporated in the embodiment without departing from the spirit of the invention which is defined by the claims that follow: 

1. A two-part vase assembly, comprising: an elongated outer vase member having an open upper end defined by a peripheral lip, having an internal volume adapted to display decorative items; and an inner vase member, substantially shorter than the outer vase member, the inner vase member fittable into an upper portion of the outer vase member, the inner vase including a lip assembly at the upper end thereof, the lip assembly having an outer portion configured to mate with the peripheral lip of the outer vase member and an inner peripheral edge which defines an opening adapted to receive a stopper element, wherein the inner vase member has an interior volume which is configured and adapted to receive a scent diffuser or candle.
 2. The two-part vase assembly of claim 1, wherein the outer vase member is at least twice as tall as the inner vase member.
 3. The two-part vase assembly of claim 1, wherein the lip assembly of the inner vase member has a notch in a lower surface of the outer portion thereof, the notch having a configuration such that the outer portion of the lip assembly can removably mate with the peripheral lip of the outer vase member.
 4. The two-part vase assembly of claim 1, wherein there is approximately two centimeters of clearance between an inner surface of the outer vase member and the outer surface of the inner vase member.
 5. The two-part vase assembly of claim 1, wherein the opening for the stopper element is approximately three-fourths of the internal diameter of the inner vase member at an upper end thereof. 